American Pharoah dominates Haskell Invitational

Back in action for the first time since winning the Triple Crown, American Pharoah powered to a 2 1/4-length win Sunday in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

"He ran like a champ," jockey Victor Espinoza said. "The others can't keep up with the high speed he has. Today, turning for home, the others were struggling. He has having fun. Me, too. We both were having fun."

American Pharoah ran the 1 1/8-mile race in 1 minute, 47.95 seconds, less than a second off the Haskell record, though Espinoza eased the horse off down the stretch.

The winning payoff was just $2.20, $2.10, $2.10 after American Pharoah went off at 1-10 odds.

Keen Ice ($4.80, $2.80) came in second, and Upstart ($2.40) took third.

Trainer Bob Baffert has not announced American Pharoah's next race, although the horse is expected to run Oct. 31 in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.